If you fancy polished, elegant fingernails, but you've got a bad nail-biting habit, then should you go down the fake nail route? We look at both sides of the natural versus fake debate.
The natural look
If you're lucky enough to have strong, healthy nails, that don't break or split, then it's best to keep them natural. Make the most of your sexy talons though, by manicuring them at least once a week, and show them off to their best advantage with the season's latest colours. Use cuticle cream to ensure your nails are strong, shiny and glossy looking.
Though you can't feed the nail directly, a good diet is essential to overall nail health. Foods like eggs, soy, whole grains and liver all help to strengthen the nail bed. Also make sure your diet is rich in apples, cucumbers, grapes ,garlic, asparagus and onions. Essential fatty acids, or EFAs, provide oil to your body, which promotes strength and growth. Like vitamins and minerals, foods rich in EFA's, such as salmon, nuts, seeds and tuna, help keep nails shiny and pliable.
Fake it up
Are you nails bitten down to nothing? If you're a natural born worrier, your hands will reflect your nervous nature. But if you want to fool everybody into thinking you are more Zen that a Buddhist, artificial nails could be for you.
But beware. They're more high maintenance than a footballer's wife, so be prepared to invest more than money. Applying artificial nails is like colouring your hair. Once you start it's a lifetime commitment. When you stop, your nails will look the way they did before, just like your hair will go back to its normal colour.
If you decide to get fake nails, remember, once they are applied, you have to go back for regular appointment. This is to prevent nail lift-off and an ugly ridge that appears between the artificial nail and the part of nails that's grown.
It's a good idea to wear gloves when washing up too. If water gets trapped under the fake nail, your real nail can turn green, and a fungal infection can set in. You also will need to go back to the manicurist to fill in the nail as it grows, and if you want them removed, the safest way is at the salon, where the manicurist will soak your nails and gently remove them.
While today's artificial nails are less likely to harm your nails in the long-term, you need to be prepared to invest time as well as money into your hands.
Perhaps a cheaper, wallet-friendly option is to spend more time on looking after your nails and spend the money you save on trendy rings and accessories to show off your beautiful hands.
